Biography of Nutan

(June 24, 1936 - December 31, 1991)

What sets Nutan apart from other actresses of her time was that she was a thinking actress who tried to fathom the intricate motivations of the character she played. She could convey much more with just a look or a feeling glance than most could not do even with expansive dialogues.

Nutan was the daughter of actress Shobhana Samarth. Though renowned for her beauty, later she was dismissed by unfeeling relatives as skinny and ugly. Undeterred Shobhana Samarth launched Nutan in films 'Humari Beti', 'Hum Log' and 'Nagina'. These films were popular but Nutan got her major breakthrough and respectability as an actress par excellence with 'Seema', where she played a delinquent in a reform home. It was a powerhouse performance that won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Subsequently, whether it was the light-hearted Paying Guest or 'Dilli Ka Thug’, her versatile talent was recognised by everybody. Her performance in 'Sujata' was matchless as she played the role of a blind woman in a very characteristic way.